In Reply to: excess luggage leaving bali posted by davidkerr on Friday, 19. September 2008 at 16:01 Bali Time:
That's outrageous that he didn't give you an option to pay your excess to the airline, after all, it is the AIRLINE and not the little sleazy employee that is entitled to the funds !
On Wednesday morning my girlfriend and I combined were 11kg over. We were told by the person at checkin that it would 'normally' cost us $8USD per kilo, so in this instance - $88USD - but he would make an 'exception' and only charge us $50USD. I figured you're at their mercy and reached for my wallet. He then leans over the counter and says, you don't pay here, you pay upstairs.
Thinking this was 'odd', I said, can you give me a docket, or tell me who or where I pay 'upstairs', he said "You pay ME - I meet you upstairs".
Strange I thought ! We headed upstairs, paid our departure tax, went through the first check and the man was not at any of these 'check points'. We ended up in one of the lounges until boarding time and then made our way to the departure gate.
Through the checkpoint, a final scan and still no man. As we're waiting in the queue to board and hand over our boarding pass, I was casually chatting to my girlfriend about him, stating that if I see him now at this point, I'm going to ask him for an invoice for 'work and tax purposes'. There was a couple behind us who overheard and said that they had already paid excess luggage (to the airline)as they were over 17kgs over. I immediately realised that this was going in this man's pocket and figured he was going to be struggling getting money out of me in this manner !
So - hand over the boarding pass, many airline staff, but not the sleazy corrupt little jerk. I figured he just got busy and missed his opportunity.
Through the boarding doors and into the tunnel that leads to the plane and surprise surprise, there he is ! I refused to make eye contact and continued to walk through the tunnel toward the plane entrance.
He's trying to get my attention, 'Scuse me mam, scuse me man'. I continue to walk. 'Scuse me scuse me man'. Nope. Not acklowledging ! He then TAPS ME ON THE SHOULDER and says 'Mam, you hab extra luggage!" I said, "No, I don't think so" and continued to walk the three or four steps onto the plane !
I cannot believe this is their system. They wait until they get into the tunnel and then they come out with a wad of cash and no doubt share it around. Garuda should be told. I'd rather pay the airline $88USD than a penny to a sleazy little scheisser !